Show off your "Custom Handled Ratchet"

[Gert]

Transformed this Stahlwille ratchet with broken/abused handle

Into this stacked leather handle:

 

[aluminum13]

Into this stacked leather handle:

That is gorgeous. Was the brass re-purposed from something else?

I thought I was kinda clever when I had this idea, turns out everyone is doing it.

Fun fact: acetate handles are very flammable. Ask me how I know.

Since that's how screwdrivers are assembled at the factory, I assumed the best way to go about this would be to apply heat. You really don't need a lot of heat applied to your tool (metal) to melt the handle as you slip it on.

Press fit is probably just as well.

My modest first try.

I like this handle off a knackered phillips. HF 1/4 roto.

 

[Gert]

Thanks for the compliment aluminum13.
I turned the brass on my lathe from brass rod.
The leather is from an old schoolbag.
Here's a picture of the handle before assembly and glue:

 

[SMKS]

Here's one I forgot to post here.

Full thread on the overhaul:
http://garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=117963

 

[RedFordTruck]

I got a Customified Stubby ratchet ill try to get a pic up in the morning.

Anyone ever heard of "Tatools" Brand? Its stamped Tatools on one side and Japan on the other.

 

[SMKS]

I got a Customified Stubby ratchet ill try to get a pic up in the morning.

Anyone ever heard of "Tatools" Brand? Its stamped Tatools on one side and Japan on the other.

It may mean "Thorsen Allied Tools". Towards the end before they went under, Thorsen started importing stuff and marking them that way. But I can't remember if Thorsen Allied was ever shortened to "TA Tools."

 

[Jarhead0408]

Transformed this Stahlwille ratchet with broken/abused handle

Into this stacked leather handle:

Good Grief!!!!!
THAT one takes the cake. Along with that 1/4 wood handled ratchet.

I am going to have to make one of those someday.

 

[Ziggy'sSpeedShop]

It may mean "Thorsen Allied Tools". Towards the end before they went under, Thorsen started importing stuff and marking them that way. But I can't remember if Thorsen Allied was ever shortened to "TA Tools."

They did I have a boxed 3/8 and 1/2 socket set I got from Al's Auto supply when I worked there in 90 or 91 they had TAT Taiwan on the sockets and ratchets and they were Thorsen Allied tools.

 

[nine4gmc]

Thanks for the compliment aluminum13.
I turned the brass on my lathe from brass rod.
The leather is from an old schoolbag.
Here's a picture of the handle before assembly and glue:

that is super tight!

 

[John316]

Here is my HF 1/2 Roto with my Craftsman bit driver handle. I drilled it to a tight fit and used an epoxy to seal the deal.

I have had the bit driver since the mid 90's and used it a LOT as for some reason the handle just feels good to my hand. The aluminum shank was pretty worn, so it made a perfect donor for the project.

The 1/2 Roto is actually pretty nice, but I could not stand the MAC copy soft handle it came with.

 

[maddawg308]

Are there any functional benefits to making a ratchet have a hand plastic handle like you guys have? They look awesome, but I can't see it adding any more pressure than stock...

 

[DanCo]

Are there any functional benefits to making a ratchet have a hand plastic handle like you guys have? They look awesome, but I can't see it adding any more pressure than stock...

Fits the kung-fu grip better

Dan

 

[chopper1]

Here's one I picked up a few years ago.

 

[itsnoyfb]

Before and after - broken plastic handle on a 3/8" Sichrome ratchet replaced with a turned aluminium. Kept the original style as I like it and it also still then fits in the original case. 0.003" interference fit pressed on with a 6 tonne hydrauic press.

Jamie

 

[JerseyBoatBuilder]

This thread is making me want to put a black Hurst pistol grip shifter handle on a 3/8" or 1/2" ratchet

Or one of these

 

[ndoran]

I made these a long time ago. The first one is a proto 1/2 inch with handle cut down, the other is a 1/4 inch Britool with a Snap On handle. I have used the Britool for years an it is getting ready for a rebuild kit but I can't get one from Britool (Facom)

 

[vtec-kamikaze]

Transformed this Stahlwille ratchet with broken/abused
Into this stacked leather handle:

i want one !

did u threaded the ratchet end aswel or is this standard ?

 

[Gert]

I had to make the thread.
Thanks for the compliment.
Cheers!

 

[JerseyBoatBuilder]

Snap On FR80
Orange 5/16" SDD6R1RO Handle.

I mic'd the largest Diameter of the Ratchet handle up near the model# and date Symbol.
And then the end of the handle.
Then drilled twice, first drilled for the end 1/16" smaller, Then drilled again for up top 1/16" smaller for a real tight fit.
Boiled the Handle for 7 minutes.
Then pressed them together in a vice.

 

[DanCo]

I like this boil your handle idea, gonna try this next week with a ratchet. Does it work with clear handles as well?

Dan

 

[fflintstone]

Here is my one and only shot at it. custom fit to my hand.

By fflintstone at 2012-04-19

By fflintstone at 2012-04-19

By fflintstone at 2012-04-19

By fflintstone at 2012-04-19

By fflintstone at 2012-04-19

By fflintstone at 2012-04-19

I like how this looks like a face.

By fflintstone at 2012-04-19

 

[CouchSpring]

Is that Bocote?

 

[Gert]

Here is my one and only shot at it. custom fit to my hand.

By fflintstone at 2012-04-19

Very nice !

 

[nine4gmc]

with a name like fflintstone, I would have thought you would make a stone handle

being a fan of wood, that is one sweet handle!!!

 

[snapmom]

 

[fflintstone]

Is that Bocote?

Zebrawood

 

[JerseyBoatBuilder]

Snap on T72 ratchet
SDD2R2RO 3/16" Hard handle
19/64" drill bit
Boiled handle for 7 minutes

Had to boil the handle a little longer than last time due to a lot tighter fit
After trying to twist the ratchet with an extension and doing some front hub bolts that were 82 ft lbs.
This thing will not move.
My previous 3/8" will not spin either.
I have found if I blow it off with a blow gun to cool it down real good then allow the handle to shrink and harden 24 hrs
No problems with either of the 2 handles on standard ratchets I have done.

 

[DanCo]

Dan

 

[maddawg308]

Forgive me for this newbie question, but how do you guys take the handle off the screwdrivers first? I understand the rest of the procedure, but I have NEVER removed a handle from a screwdriver, even when I am trying to break it.

 

[rusty65]

Put the screwdriver blade in a vise and take a boxed or open end wrench and fit the end on where the blade enters the handle and pry up towards the handle with the wrench while the blade is clamped in the vise. I learned the hard way that pry bars are a bad idea unless you like messed up handles.

 

[bigbarf48]

Put the screwdriver blade in a vise and take a boxed or open end wrench and fit the end on where the blade enters the handle and pry up towards the handle with the wrench while the blade is clamped in the vise. I learned the hard way that pry bars are a bad idea unless you like messed up handles.

Put a washer over the shaft between the handle and the crowbar blade that way you're prying on the washer not the handle

 

[nine4gmc]

just did this

 

[jeffmoss26]

Nice!!!

 

[Heavy Metal Doctor]

here's my everyday use 3/8 drive ratchet converted to hard handle:

 

[Ksullivan]

<a href="http://s156.photobucket.com/albums/t35/ksullivan07/?action=view&current=F24169CA-7C93-4D0C-9414-1545CA0428F1-15208-00000DE136320767.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i156.photobucket.com/albums/t35/ksullivan07/F24169CA-7C93-4D0C-9414-1545CA0428F1-15208-00000DE136320767.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket Pictures, Images and Photos" /></a>

Here is my crescent branded nutdriver handle and a Stanley ratchet, I used a crowbar to get the handle off and then used a 7/16" bit to drill the handle, I let the handle rinse in hot water for 8 minutes an then pressed it on with a pipe clamp.

 

[Conductor562]

Those modified RP's in post #1 are pretty sweet. If only Sears had thought of that.

 

[DanCo]

Here's my newest addition to my collection, a GearWrench 81306F. 84 tooth, 1/2 drive flex head. Used my co-worker's lathe to machine down the handle a bit, then threaded it to accept a Hurst shifter I had.

I can't wait to try it out.

Dan

 

[G1GRANDEUR]

that handle would work better on breaker bar.

 

[ADSR]

that hurst ratchet is awesome!

 

[Lhorn]

that hurst ratchet is awesome!

x2. Very cool.